About
Cassidy Horton is a finance writer covering banking, life insurance and business loans. She has worked with top finance brands including NerdWallet, MarketWatch and Consumer Affairs. Cassidy first became interested in personal finance after paying off $18,000 in debt within 10 months of graduating college. She later went on to triple her salary in two years by ditching her 8-to-5 job to write for a living.
Cassidy Horton’s passion for personal finance began in college when she hatched a plan to pay off $18,000 in student loan debt within 10 months of graduation. As a first-generation college student and wealth builder, she was desperate to rewrite her money story and feel more financially secure.
Throughout college, Cassidy wrote for her school’s semesterly alumni magazine. But after graduation, she felt stuck: She was passionate about both writing and finance. But she had no idea how to combine the two.
Then, in March 2019, she decided to do something brave. She ditched her 8-to-5 job as an academic advisor to become a freelance personal finance writer. Cassidy started out writing for financial advisors and wealth management firms until she found her true calling: helping everyday people sort through their own money muck and build generational wealth.
Today, Cassidy has written over 1,000 personal finance articles across publications like NerdWallet, MarketWatch, ConsumerAffairs, Clever Girl Finance and Stash, among others. She has been a Forbes Advisor contributor since 2022 for the banking, insurance and loans verticals.
Her writing career has allowed her to quadruple her income over the years and has brought her more joy than she ever thought imaginable.
In 2022, Cassidy launched a platform called Money Hungry Freelancers to helps other freelancers organize their finances and crush their money goals. She lives in Seattle where she loves knitting, reading fiction, hiking and hunting down the best fried chicken joint in town.
Expertise
- Banking
- Checking
- Savings
- Insurance
- Loans
Achievements
- More than five years of finance writing experience
- Published by NerdWallet, MarketWatch, ConsumerAffairs, USA Today, CNN, Stash, Prosper, Clever Girl Finance and more
- Founder of Money Hungry Freelancers
Other Publications
- How To Break The Cycle Of Shame Around Money
- Budgeting with Irregular Income: 10 Tips for 1099 Contractors
- How to Save Money: 45 Best Ways to Grow Your Savings
- How to get a loan to buy a business
- How To Start Freelancing With No Experience
Education
Georgia Southern University (MBA)
Georgia Southern University (B.S. Public Relations)
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Life Insurance Outlook 2025: Personalized Life Insurance
The current digital transformation in the life insurance industry will combine with better humanization in 2025, which means the future of life insurance is both digital and personal. Consumers will seek convenient life insurance policies, including living benefits that offer... -
Fidelity Life Insurance Review 2025: Pros and Cons
We found Fidelity Life’s lineup of RAPIDecision products to be quite impressive. Many of its policies offer same-day coverage with no medical exam. It also has several policy options for seniors, including term life, whole life, final expense and guaranteed... -
Guardian Life Insurance Review 2025
Guardian offers a range of life insurance policies, including term, whole and universal options. As one of the largest mutual insurance companies in the U.S., it has historically paid out life insurance dividends each year since 1868. We found that... -
10 LGBTQ-Friendly Banks Of 2025
LGBTQ-friendly banks aim to provide a safe space where people of all sexual orientations and gender identities can access financial products and services tailored to their needs and goals. Many of these financial institutions also promote equality from within through... -
Quicken Simplifi Review 2025
The Quicken Simplifi budgeting app is a solid option if you’re looking for an easy-to-use budgeting tool and don’t mind paying a subscription fee. The app breaks down your savings and spending in detail and offers a big-picture view of... -
How To Finance A Mobile Home
With the average double-wide costing around $120,000 to $160,000, according to HomeGuide, financing your home may be the only way to afford it. Since mobile homes fall under different classifications, there are various financing options available. Before choosing one loan... -
Pros And Cons Of Business Loans
Business loans offer financing for business growth and expansion. However, you can strain your business’s revenue if you don’t use your loan properly. Before you pursue a business loan, weigh the pros and cons and make the best decision for... -
SoFi Vs. Discover: Which Personal Loan Lender Is Right For You?
SoFi and Discover both offer customers personal loans with competitive interest rates. SoFi is great for larger loan amounts while Discover has borrower-friendly annual percentage rates (APRs). Before deciding on either lender, review and compare their features and rates to... -
Copilot Budget App Review 2025
Copilot is an intuitive budgeting app that harnesses machine learning to automate and simplify the budgeting process. It’s best if you’re looking for a smart money management tool with almost no learning curve. The app’s features and ease of use... -
Ivy Bank Review 2025
Ivy Bank is a digital bank that offers a savings account and CDs. Its high-yield savings account deserves consideration—if you can qualify for it. The account’s APY is among the highest you’ll find, but you need at least to open... -
Best And Worst States To Save Money In 2024
Saving money has proven especially difficult in the last few years as Americans navigate high costs for daily expenses and increasingly rely on credit cards to cover the gaps in their budgets. The nationwide personal savings rate has recently dropped... -
Best 11-Month CD Rates Of 2025
Searching for a high-yield CD but don’t want to tie up your money for years? CDs with 11-month terms offer savers competitive returns and access to funds in less than a year, with rates that often eclipse those of shorter... -
Is Airbnb Travel Insurance Worth It?
Planning an Airbnb vacation but worried about the host’s strict cancellation policy? Trip disruptions like flight delays or rental issues can quickly derail the best-laid plans. But Airbnb offers travel insurance to safeguard your stay. Adding this optional insurance during... -
Guide To Leased Car Insurance
Signing a car lease may seem like a great deal because you get to drive a new car for less money than buying one. But there's an extra cost you need to budget for—leased car insurance. Leasing companies require... -
Best Banks For Small Business Of 2025
The best banks for small businesses offer specialized accounts, competitive interest rates and a suite of tools for growing companies. We’ve compared 60 financial institutions to pinpoint the best options for small business owners. Our top five picks are based... -
Cities With The Worst Drivers, Ranked
Fatal car accidents are increasing across the country, with the number of deadly crashes climbing by nearly 10% from 2020 to 2022. In some cities, there is a higher percentage of dangerous drivers on the road, putting everyone at greater... -
How To Save $5,000 In A Year
Saving $5,000 in just 365 days might sound like a lofty goal, but it can be done. Whether you're planning a dream vacation, setting aside a down payment or just building a safety net, saving $5,000 in a year is... -
Best 9-Month CD Rates Of 2025
The best nine-month CD rates are near or above 4.00% APY. A nine-month CD provides higher returns than a savings account but with less commitment than a CD with a longer term. You can still incur a fee if you... -
Best Business Bank Accounts For Sole Proprietorships Of 2025
Are you running a business and wondering which sole proprietorship bank account is best for your needs? Whether you're a new entrepreneur or a seasoned one looking to switch banks, we’ve rounded up the best business bank accounts for sole... -
States With The Most Responsible Dog Owners, Ranked
Being a responsible dog owner means keeping your furry friend happy and healthy. Part of that responsibility includes regular check-ups at the veterinarian, staying up-to-date with vaccinations and making sure your dog gets regular exercise and a nutritious diet. It... -
Best Credit Union CD Rates Of 2025
If you're looking for the highest CD rates available, you may want to consider credit unions. While credit unions generally refer to CDs as "share certificates" or simply “certificates,” they're essentially the same as CDs at banks. They provide guaranteed... -
Best Banks In Tennessee For 2025
The best banks in Tennessee offer appealing terms and a variety of account options to suit every need. Whether you're looking for a bank with an extensive branch network, competitive interest rates, low fees or top-notch customer service, the Volunteer... -
Best 5-Year CD Rates Of 2025
While you may find certificates of deposit with terms of 10 years or longer, the five-year CD is the most commonly available longer-term certificate. By choosing a five-year CD, you’re committing to the interest or dividend rate on offer for... -
Suncoast Credit Union CD Rates Of 2025
Suncoast Credit Union offers various certificate of deposit (CD) options tailored to fit diverse savings goals. While Suncoast Credit Union CD rates are notably competitive, especially compared to many traditional banks, the credit union's products are mainly for Florida residents.... -
Best Business Bank Accounts Of 2025
A business bank account is a necessity for any business owner who takes their venture seriously. Whether you're looking for business checking, savings or money market accounts, the best business bank accounts come with low fees, convenient digital tools and... -
Save A Million Calculator
Do you dream of being a millionaire? Perhaps you're already on your way, but you're not sure when you’ll reach the million-dollar mark. That’s where a millionaire calculator comes in handy. This interactive tool will tell you how long it'll... -
Bread Savings CD Rates Of 2025
Don’t loaf around when it comes to saving money—Bread Savings is an online savings account with competitive CD rates designed to help your dough rise. But you need at least to open an account, which is a higher minimum than... -
Are High-Yield Savings Accounts Worth It?
Many people are seeking better ways to grow their money and wondering if a high-yield savings account might be the answer. Whether you're saving for a dream vacation, building an emergency fund or simply exploring avenues to grow your savings,... -
7 Peer-To-Peer Payment Scams And How To Avoid Them
Peer-to-peer, or P2P, payment apps have become a popular way for people to quickly send money to each other. Apps like PayPal, Venmo and Cash App make paying friends or splitting bills super easy. But this convenience comes with a...
About
Cassidy Horton is a finance writer covering banking, life insurance and business loans. She has worked with top finance brands including NerdWallet, MarketWatch and Consumer Affairs. Cassidy first became interested in personal finance after paying off $18,000 in debt within 10 months of graduating college. She later went on to triple her salary in two years by ditching her 8-to-5 job to write for a living.